2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Toyota Highlander

$38,045 · Crossover

$45,270 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander often boils down to balancing initial cost against perceived reliability and size. A major sticking point is the MSRP gap: the CX-90 starts at a very appealing $38,045, which is a significant $7,225 less than the Highlander’s $45,270 entry price. Despite being the budget-friendly option, the CX-90 offers superior power, delivering 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with the Mazda achieving 25 MPG combined versus the Toyota's 24 MPG combined. While the Highlander has a slight edge in cargo space (16.0 cu ft vs. 14.9 cu ft), the CX-90's nearly 6-inch length advantage (200.8 inches) suggests a more commanding presence, making it a compelling choice for value-conscious drivers who prioritize performance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 wins for commuters due to its slightly better 25 MPG combined fuel economy and lower initial cost.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is slightly favored for families because it offers 16.0 cu ft of cargo space compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 appeals more to driving enthusiasts, packing 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque against the Highlander's lesser output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 provides significantly better value by offering more horsepower for a $7,225 lower starting MSRP.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You want the lowest entry price, starting at just $38,045.
You prefer more raw power, as the CX-90 delivers 280 horsepower.
You appreciate slightly better efficiency with a 25 MPG combined rating.

Choose the Toyota Highlander if...

You need the absolute maximum cargo capacity, benefiting from 16.0 cu ft.
You prefer a slightly smaller footprint, as the Highlander is almost 5 inches shorter in length.
You are willing to pay the $7,225 premium for Toyota's reputation and slightly better city MPG (21 vs 24 for the Mazda).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Toyota Highlander
Length	200.8"	194.9"
Width	78.5"	76.0"
Height	68.2"	68.1"
Wheelbase	122.8"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	265 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	21/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	375.9/501.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	17.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	59.0 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 in.	57.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	57.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/55R19	P235/65R V
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Toyota
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	2 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Toyota Highlander.

How much more power does the Mazda CX-90 actually have over the Highlander?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has a clear power advantage, generating 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This is noticeably higher than the 2026 Toyota Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Is the significant price difference justified by the features?

Based purely on the provided specs, the $7,225 price gap is substantial, as both use regular unleaded fuel and standard 8-speed automatic AWD. The CX-90 offers superior horsepower for the lower cost, making the Highlander’s premium pricing less obvious from a performance standpoint.

Which vehicle is better suited for long road trips regarding space?

The Toyota Highlander is negligibly better for cargo, offering 16.0 cubic feet versus the CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row. However, both vehicles are quite large, with the CX-90 being over 5 inches longer overall.

How similar are their fuel economies?

They are very close, but the Mazda CX-90 holds a slight advantage, achieving 25 MPG combined (24 city/28 highway). The Highlander is rated at 24 MPG combined (21 city/28 highway), meaning the Mazda might save you a bit more at the pump annually.

Are the transmissions and drivetrains the same?

Yes, both crossovers come equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with standard All-Wheel Drive. This means the driving experience for routine shifts should feel quite similar across both vehicles.

Do either of these vehicles require premium fuel?

No, both the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Toyota Highlander specify that they run on regular unleaded fuel, which is a nice benefit for everyday driving costs.